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APRIL FOOL’S DAY: OUR 43RD ANNIVERSARY

– The fact “PRIDE” has survived for 43 years is a testament to its integrity.

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Today, April 1st, 2014, represents the 43rd anniversary of the founding of our company, M&JB Investment Company (originally M. Bryce & Associates). I’m not sure why my father chose April 1st for our founding, but he was fond of saying it would be our practical joke on the industry. In the early days, our company’s forte was the “PRIDE” Methodology for Systems Design. This was a step by step approach for building enterprise-wide systems, not just the programming portions. Frankly, it was way ahead of its time as it was based on a simple premise, “A system is a product that can be engineered and manufactured like any other product,” a concept most programmers had difficulty grasping, and still do.

Fortunately we were able to sell it around the world in just about every field of endeavor imaginable. Although we have tweaked the text over time, it is still the same fundamental product we sold back in 1971. Frankly, it remains the best product of its kind as it is logically sound and has stood the test of time. I have never seen anyone fail who has used it faithfully. When you’re done shooting yourself in the foot with Agile programming and need to build something of substance, come and talk to us.

“PRIDE” was also proven unique in the courtroom in a landmark lawsuit regarding trade secrets. It set many precedents and is often quoted in similar cases.

Over time though, the industry moved away from total systems and focused on just programming (“apps”) which explains why there have been so many botched system projects in recent times; e.g., the Obamacare Web System which cost taxpayers a staggering $634 million to build. Whenever you take a programming approach to building systems, you are doomed to failure. As my father used to say, “If we built bridges the same way we build systems in this country, this would be a nation run by ferryboats.” All I can add today is, “Toot, toot!”

The company was founded in 1971, but in 1985 we moved to Palm Harbor, Florida where we remain to this day.

So happy anniversary “PRIDE”, the only scientific approach for designing, developing, and managing an organization’s information resources. Since 1971, it remains, “Software for the finest computer – the Mind.”

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Franssaid

Wow, time flies! Hi Tim, Frans VDL here to congratulate you on this occasion. Your Dad was just a great guy who today are hard to find and I will never forget Milt. Please give my regards to your Mom and wife. BTW, I really enjoy your column.